“Priscilla”: A Keyhole to Girlhood

A24’s “Priscilla,” directed by Sophia Coppola, is a meringue-sweet rendition of an age-old story: boy meets girl, and the rest is history. Right?

“Priscilla” is based primarily on Priscilla Presley’s memoir, “Elvis and Me,” which means the story follows her life from the moment she meets Elvis to the moment their paths diverge in a succinct 113 minutes. 

Featuring Priscilla Presley herself as an executive producer, the film opens with a 14-year-old Texan girl living on a military base in Germany where her father is stationed. Priscilla Beulieu (played by Cailee Spaeny) is the lonely teenager we all once were, longing for home in a place where home isn’t. 

And then there’s Elvis Presley (played by Jacob Elordi)— 24-year-old rock star, and a Texan himself— drafted to that very same military base. Elvis is lonely, too; it seems his adult parties and friends don’t quite cut it.

Spaeny makes a shockingly convincing highschooler in contrast to her 6-foot-5-inch costar. I felt the juxtaposition in casting was a tactful choice: Spaeny glides seamlessly through her aging role, and Elordi’s Elivs is at once awe-inspiring and quietly menacing. When they sit together, there’s an uneasy sense of knowing that reaches beyond the unassuming, gentlemanly nature that Elordi puts on.

Overall, Priscilla’s story is one of robin-egg blues, of “sitting pretty” in Elvis’ shadow, of fenced-in puppy love. And Coppola’s direction style could pull straight out of a coquette Pinterest board. There’s still after still of picturesque, feminine details: freshly manicured nails, crisp white drapes, an untouched bowl of pastel candies. Spaeny often stands alone in the vast glory of Graceland, Elvis’ Texas estate, a living decoration gathering dust while the star is away. Each scene rings with an echo of waiting.

If you’re looking for another sugary homage to the King of Rock, look elsewhere. While “Priscilla” preserves the affection between Priscilla and Elvis, it washes away a rosy gloss to reveal the bruising of isolation, addiction, and abuse. Instead, the film follows Priscilla’s early life closely, providing an aching realism to a famously romantic story.

The film also features no licensed Elvis music: Elvis’s estate would not grant Coppola the license to use any of Elvis’s music, though Jacob Elordi does a fantastic vocal impression throughout the entire movie.

“Priscilla” is still in theaters and will be available for purchase on Dec. 15. If you’re looking to stream for free, “Priscilla” and other A24 films will also be coming to Max at an unreleased date following a new licensing agreement.